Granfondo Terre dei Varano continues to make bold statements against amateur doping in Italy by filing a criminal complaint against now convicted doper Vincenzo Pisani, who finished first at the Granfondo Terre dei Varano in 2021.
On 25 June, Pisani was tested for banned performance enhancing substances and results confirmed he was positive for Recombinant Erythropoietin (EPO). Two days later he won Gran Fondo Gavia and Motirolo, nine days later he finished 2nd at Maratona dles Dolomites Gran Fondo and sixteen days later the 40 year-old amateur won Granfondo Terre dei Varano.
At the time Pisani declared “I am innocent. I have already asked for a counter analysis and I am sure the truth will come out.”
The Italian National Anti-Doping Organisation uncovered the truth and subsequently banned Pisani from the sport for 3 years, from 29 July 2021 until 28 July 2024, including cancelling results achieved while using EPO. In addition, Granfondo Terre dei Varano demanded Pisani return the “Francesco Gentili” Trophy he illegally won.
But the story does not stop there…
Granfondo Terre dei Varano has filed a criminal complaint against Pisani for false self-certification at the time of registration, since Pisani expressly agreed he had “not taken – and will not take – substances included in the anti-doping list of the World Antidoping Agency (WADA)” and acknowledged that “false self-certification will be prosecuted according to the law.”
Pisani now gets to lawyer up – again.
Leading by example, Granfondo Terre dei Varano has made a decisive stance against athletes who tarnish the sport for everyone else and is determined to continue the fight against doping.
Bravo!
PHOTOS: Granfondo Terre dei Varano
GRAN FONDO DAILY NEWS 